Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter recipe transforms fresh apples into a smooth, spiced spread perfect for toast, oatmeal, or desserts. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup and infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, it’s an easy, comforting treat made with minimal hands-on time using a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (Slow Cooker HIGH) or 8-10 hours (Slow Cooker LOW) / 60 minutes (Instant Pot)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes depending on method
- Yield: About 3 cups of apple butter 1x
- Category: Spread, Condiment
- Method: Slow Cooking or Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples, cored (Granny Smith or a mix of sweet and tart varieties recommended)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup apple juice or water (only for Instant Pot method)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Core and roughly chop the apples to ensure even cooking. Gather all the spices and sweetener ready for mixing.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Place the apples, maple syrup, allspice, ground cloves, and cinnamon stick into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine the ingredients evenly without breaking down the apples too much.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or on LOW for 8-10 hours, stirring occasionally for even cooking and to prevent sticking. The apples will become very soft and start to break down.
- Blend Apple Butter: Once cooked and slightly cooled, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to puree the mixture to a smooth, spreadable consistency. Alternatively, transfer in batches to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
- Add to Instant Pot (Alternate Method): For pressure cooker users, combine all the ingredients including the 1/2 cup apple juice or water in the Instant Pot. Stir gently to mix.
- Pressure Cook: Close the lid and seal the valve. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. When the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick pressure release according to manufacturer instructions.
- Blend Apple Butter (Instant Pot): Let the mixture cool slightly. Then use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth and creamy.
Notes
- Choose a variety of apples for more complex flavor; tart apples add brightness while sweet apples add natural sweetness.
- The apple butter thickens further as it cools. If too thick, stir in a little water or apple juice to loosen.
- Store in clean, airtight jars or containers in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage.
- Adjust spices to taste; increase cinnamon or cloves for a stronger warm spice flavor.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and low in fat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, apple spread, maple syrup apple butter, homemade apple butter, pressure cooker apple butter
Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/slow-cooker-apple-butter-recipe/
